Design Engineer

Career Area: Engineering Job Description: Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc. When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other.  We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

Responsible for evaluating, validating, and optimizing the structural integrity, strength, durability, and safety of products, equipment, and assemblies through analytical calculations, simulation tools, and engineering principles. This role ensures that designs meet applicable engineering standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations while balancing performance, manufacturability, cost, and reliability.

Structural Analysis Perform linear and nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) of components and assemblies. Conduct static, dynamic, fatigue, vibration, buckling, thermal, and impact analyses. Evaluate stress, strain, displacement, and load distribution under operational and extreme loading conditions. Verify structural performance against design requirements and acceptance criteria. Identify high-risk areas and provide design recommendations to improve structural integrity. Design Validation Validate engineering designs through analytical calculations and simulation methodologies. Support concept development by evaluating alternative structural designs. Create and review hand calculations to verify simulation accuracy. Ensure compliance with design factors of safety and strength requirements. Participate in design reviews and provide technical recommendations. Tooling Development Support Collaborate with design engineers to develop robust structural solutions. Support new tooling development, product improvements, and cost reduction projects. Assist in material selection and manufacturing process evaluation. Recommend design modifications to improve performance and reliability. Support prototype development and engineering change implementation. Standards and Compliance Ensure compliance with applicable industry standards and regulations, including: ASME ISO OSHA Caterpillar Standards Customer-specific requirements Verify designs meet safety, quality, and regulatory requirements. Support certification and compliance documentation. Testing and Correlation Develop validation plans for structural testing. Support laboratory and field-testing activities. Correlate physical test results with analytical predictions. Investigate discrepancies and improve simulation models. Approve structural test reports and recommendations. Failure Analysis and Problem Solving Conduct root cause investigations for structural failures. Evaluate field issues related to cracking, deformation, fatigue, or overload conditions. Develop corrective and preventive actions. Generate engineering reports documenting findings and recommendations. Support warranty and reliability improvement initiatives. Documentation and Reporting Prepare engineering reports, calculations, presentations, and technical documentation. Maintain analysis records and validation data. Develop design verification documentation required for product release. Generate engineering recommendations supported by technical evidence. Present analysis results to engineering leadership and project teams. Risk Assessment Support DFMEA, PFMEA, and risk assessments. Identify critical characteristics affecting structural performance. Evaluate product risks associated with load paths and failure modes. Recommend mitigation plans for identified risks. Participate in safety reviews and product audits. Continuous Improvement Improve analysis methodologies, tools, and processes. Develop simulation best practices and design